The Dum Dum Girls second LP ‘Only In Dreams’ is much different from their lo-fi debut ‘I Will Be’ with it’s vintage and underground alternative feel. This is a much more comercial approach, everything seems alot more clearer musically as well as bigger with vocals are pushed right to the front. The same topics about love, lust, betrayal and heartbreak are there, it is at times sad even if upbeat and rocky and a suprise country feel to some of the tracks too.
Opener ‘Always Looking’ holds swagger with a cool 50’s style guitar line from which DDG’s treated us to in the teaser. Current single ‘Bedroom Eyes’ is full of longing and holds elements of the Smith’s with it’s picking guitar intro. The pace changes on ‘Coming Down’ as it is slowed into a crashing of layered guitars and sad vocal. ‘Teardrops on My Pillow’ is a special track with double snare pop drums.
The main difference on the new record is Dee Dee’s vocal, it has less effect on it sounding more natural, maybe we’ve over listened to the debut as the new style vocals are slightly distracting on record. Still we can’t wait to see how the new songs come across live. The retro feel is still present but it doesn’t hold the instant appeal of their debut, there is something so brilliant about that record and so far we haven’t got the same feeling in ‘Only In Dreams’.
Tour dates:
Nov 13 Factory Manchester
Nov 14 Cluny Newcastle
Nov 15 Brudenell Social Club Leeds
Nov 16 Central Station Wrexham
Nov 17 University of London Union London